A decree declaring an end to Slovenia’s coronavirus outbreak will come into effect at the end of this month. Prime minister Janez Jansa said his country had “the best epidemiological status in Europe”.
Neighbouring states may dispute that point. Montenegro has reported no new cases of Covid-19 for more than a week, and only eight active cases. Slovenia has reported just 35 cases in the past two weeks.
The official end of the epidemic will allow EU citizens to cross at certain border points without having to quarantine. People from non-EU countries will still face a two-week isolation period.
The timing of the decree allows Slovenia to claim to be the first European country to declare victory over Covid-19, but there is also an element of expedience. It prevents the automatic extension of emergency aid for businesses and individuals, which will now cease at the end of the month.
